Inflation stokes rate rise risk; "no surprises" in damning PwC review

After what feels like a reprieve after twelve interest rate rises since May last year - could we be in for another hike maybe as early next week? That's the view of some economists after inflation ticked higher in the most recent monthly reading - something that might test Michele Bullock at her first meeting as Reserve Bank governor. Also .. a highly-anticipdated review into governance, culture and accountability at consulting giant PwC has singled out the "excessive power" of the firm's chief executive and poor practices which went "unexamined and uncorrected" for years. The report by former Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski also finds a "disproportionate focus on revenue" and a "lack of independence and external voices" within the firm's governing body.